GUIDANCE FOR YOUTH

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 82, 7 April 1938, Page 8

GUIDANCE FOR YOUTH

' Though experimental, the vocational guidance scEeme for youth, announced by the < Minister of Labour, is largely a' consolidation and extension of work already undertaken. For many years past high schools and technical schools in the centres have regarded \l as part of their work to observe the aptitudes of boys and girls and to assist them in finding positions for .which they are suited. Now this work is'to be extended and linked with that of the Labour Department, which will be in stouch with possible employers. When positions are found there will be follow-up work "to check-up on the accuracy of the earlier occupational determination." No one will deny that there is scope for this work. Even at present ,when youths are in great demand many parents find difficulty in making a correct decision for their boys and girls, in, balancing the immediate induce-; ments to enter a particular occupation against the long-term prospects. | The Labour Department is able to advise upon these points and to take a wide view of the conditions governing employment in various industries. If the work is thoroughly done so as to gain the confidence of both parents and employers, it should prove most useful in reducing the number of misfits in industry and assuring that the community obtains the best return from a wellbalanced distribution of labour.